Music & Cycling: Am I crazy?

[nuthatch]

I hear you on this one! In the surrounding Chicago areas my ears start to ache when the wind is really bad. And my headphones not only block the wind from rushing in, but they also keep me motivated to ride faster, harder, and longer!

Speaking of ear numbness due to whistling winds, is there anyway to lessen this effect and still maintain your hearing of important road noises? Some sort of earband to cut the whoosh? I've wondered about this when I'm riding fast - when I'm ambling, I'll enjoy the birds and streams with you, Yellow! Or the sound of my own voice singing sailor songs!

[profàvélo]

Dear Ladies,

I am shocked that so many of you use headphones/music while riding.

It is not safe, no matter how low you have the volume. It ranks right up there with not wearing a helmet.

Please reconsider, so that you can hear that car sneaking up behind you, or your fellow cyclist trying to give you a warning.

If not for yourself, please do it for your mother/son/SO/brother/favorite pet.

[Irulan]

Dear Ladies,

I am shocked that so many of you use headphones/music while riding.

It is not safe, no matter how low you have the volume. It ranks right up there with not wearing a helmet.

Please reconsider, so that you can hear that car sneaking up behind you, or your fellow cyclist trying to give you a warning.

If not for yourself, please do it for your mother/son/SO/brother/favorite pet.

I"m with you, I think it's a bad/unsafe idea.

[DeniseGoldberg]

I am shocked that so many of you use headphones/music while riding.

It is not safe, no matter how low you have the volume. It ranks right up there with not wearing a helmet.

I agree. I would never consider blocking out the sounds of the environment I am riding through. It's our responsibility to stay as safe as possible when riding - and keeping focused on the sights and sounds of the road is much more important than listening to your favorite music.

--- Denise

[Crankin]

Second that. I am sort of shocked that anyone would ride with music on. It's an accident waiting to happen. We wouldn't want to do anything that makes others think cyclists are irresponsible.... safety comes first.
I ride mostly on country roads and part of the fun when I'm alone is actually hearing and seeing the things you don't see in a car!

[salsabike]

I agree. I would never consider blocking out the sounds of the environment I am riding through. It's our responsibility to stay as safe as possible when riding - and keeping focused on the sights and sounds of the road is much more important than listening to your favorite music.

--- Denise

I couldn't agree more.

[Andi]

I was wondering if many people rode listening to music. I don't care for music but have loaded some audio novels on my mp3 player. Want to try listening to those when riding on our many bike trails - but not the road. Thought I'd try with just listening with the right ear and leave the ear bud off the left one to listen. Will let you know how it works.

[Dogmama]

<WARNING - MOTHER HAT ON>

Riding is inherently dangerous. We need to pay attention to everything no matter where we're riding. One of my worst accidents was due to inattention to the road - didn't see that big old rock because I was daydreaming. Listening to music or audio tapes takes your attention off of the task at hand.

One of the joys of riding is being in nature and fully experiencing Her majesty. That includes the sounds of birds, the wind, streams. For me, there is also the feeling that you cannot get through the usual senses that this is "what it is all about." The peace and serenity. The inner knowing that the world is a good place. I can't get that with U2 banging in my eardrums.

I save the headphones for the gym where I WANT to drown out the noise and escape into my own world.

[Trek420]

Sorry to be blunt but:

Where is the jersey that says "Unplug and ride"?

Unless you MUST drown out the infernal sound of my singing I invite you to sing louder than me.

Inside, gym, spin class, on the trainer...bring on the noise.

I admit being a bit of a Ludite, plus the meditative/contemplative aspect of the sport, and what others have said-safety first~gotta be aware. That's aware of your suroundings, the bike (what was that clicking or noise?)...

[caligurl]

profavelo... i disagree.... i CAN hear cars sneaking up on me.... i CAN hear people to talk to them....

you know what causes me not to be able to hear cars and people (and my music)? wind noise! wind noise is WAY louder than my music.... how do you propose we stop that?

i ride the same roads... day in and day out unless i happen to get in on an organized ride... i get bored.... there aren't other options for me cuz the roads i ride are the safe ones.... the only saving grace for that monoteny (spelling) of those rides is having that music playing faintly in the background....

[SadieKate]

From the UC Davis transportation site
http://www.taps.ucdavis.edu/bicycle/...cdcyclist.html

According the California Vehicle Code, every person riding a bicycle upon a street or highway has all the rights and responsibilities of the driver of a motor vehicle. On campus traffic regulations are strictly enforced . You may be cited for running stop signs, riding at an unsafe speed for conditions, riding on the wrong side of the road or on sidewalks, wearing headphones while riding, not having legal brakes, etc.

From the California DMV site
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d12/vc27400.htm
Wearing of Headsets or Earplugs
27400. A person operating a motor vehicle or bicycle may not wear a headset covering, or earplugs in, both ears.

[SadieKate]

From the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute
http://www.helmets.org/bcstudy.htm
#5

Background
Several deaths of cyclists have been reported in Ontario that were linked directly to the use of stereo headphones. We have all seen people riding bikes or driving cars seemingly completely in their own space and little aware of what is going on about them. Cyclist users of headphones, indeed any users who are engaged in an activity that may pose dangers to themselves or others through inattention to what they are doing, should be made aware of the dangers inherent in the use of these headsets in certain situations.

Recommendation
A study should be conducted into the incidence of stereo headphone use in conjunction with bicycle accidents with a view to supplementing bicycle education programs about the dangers of such use and, depending on the outcome of the study, consider recommendations for the prohibition of such use in certain circumstances.

[Pedal Wench]

The law and practical thinking both are opposed to 'stereo' headphones. When I'm on a bike trail, I'll use an earphone in my right ear only. My left ear is clear for approaching cars(at intersections), cyclists, sirens, etc. You can even wire the headphone cables to combine both channels into one wire, so you get a full mono signal in that one ear, instead of half of a stereo signal. When I'm on the road, I tend to want all my senses concentrating on my surroundings, but I'm riding on busier streets - I might feel differently if I was on rural roads. I do love my iPod on the trail though.

From the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute
http://www.helmets.org/bcstudy.htm
#5

Background
Several deaths of cyclists have been reported in Ontario that were linked directly to the use of stereo headphones. We have all seen people riding bikes or driving cars seemingly completely in their own space and little aware of what is going on about them. Cyclist users of headphones, indeed any users who are engaged in an activity that may pose dangers to themselves or others through inattention to what they are doing, should be made aware of the dangers inherent in the use of these headsets in certain situations.

Recommendation
A study should be conducted into the incidence of stereo headphone use in conjunction with bicycle accidents with a view to supplementing bicycle education programs about the dangers of such use and, depending on the outcome of the study, consider recommendations for the prohibition of such use in certain circumstances.

[Irulan]

one could give the same argument against music use on the trail too... can't hear riders coming up behind you etc.

irulan

[SadieKate]

When I'm on the road, I tend to want all my senses concentrating on my surroundings, but I'm riding on busier streets - I might feel differently if I was on rural roads. I do love my iPod on the trail though.

You know, I am much more likely to zone out into the zen of riding on rural roads and on the trail. My ears are perked up all the time in the 'burbs, but I can constantly be surprised on country roads and on dirt.